Postpublished at 23:21 BST 23 July 2014
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond calls the crowd and athletes together to observe a minute's silence in memory of the 298 people who died when flight MH17 crashed in the Ukraine on 17 July.
Summary
The Queen declares the 20th Games open after a colourful ceremony
4,500 athletes from 71 nations/territories paraded into the stadium
Huge roar greeted Scotland's team into Celtic Park stadium
Sporting action begins at 08:45 BST on Thursday
Postpublished at 23:21 BST 23 July 2014
Postpublished at 23:19 BST 23 July 2014
Sir Chris Hoy
Six-time Olympic champion and BBC Sport cycling expert
Image source, Sir Chris HoySix-time Olympic cycling champion, with actor and fellow Scot James McAvoy, tweets: , externalWhat an atmosphere!! Just amazing!
Postpublished at 23:17 BST 23 July 2014
Aimee Lewis
BBC Sport at the opening ceremony in Glasgow
Image source, Aimee LewisA spectacular sight as thousands of mobile phones light up like glowworms in the night sky. A fun and frolicking curtain-raiser for what should be a fabulous fortnight.
Postpublished at 23:16 BST 23 July 2014
Comedian Billy Connolly reminds the crowd via a video message that this is the first Commonwealth Games since the death of former South African president Nelson Mandela.
He recounts how Mandela was awarded the the Freedom of the City by Glasgow in 1981 while he was still in prison on Robben Island. In 1986 Glasgow renamed St George's Place - the street on which the South African consulate-general was based - after Mandela.
The 1986 Commonwealth games, held in Edinburgh, were boycotted by 32 African, Asian and Caribbean nations over apartheid and the British government's refusal to impose sanctions on South Africa.
Postpublished at 23:12 BST 23 July 2014
Image source, Adrian GrantEngland's squash players are clearing enjoying their evening. Adrian Grant tweets:, external "Rolling with Rod Stewart @nickmatthew"
Postpublished at 23:11 BST 23 July 2014
Right, down to more serious business.
The Commonwealth flag is brought out by athletes representing each of the regions involved in the Games.
Swimming legend Ian Thorpe is there for Oceania, squash queen Nicol David is doing the duties for Asia, while Kenya's double Olympic champion Kip Keino is carrying the banner for Africa.
Postpublished at 23:07 BST 23 July 2014
Image source, Rod StewartCeltic fan Rod Stewart, in between his turns, tweets:, external "I never thought I'd be able to stand in the Celtic Board Room in front of the trophy case. . . with no pants."
Postpublished at 23:06 BST 23 July 2014
Working in the International Space Station looks like a laugh doesn't it?
After a zero-gravity kickabout last month to celebrate the World Cup, external, they are back via satellite link to wish everyone well in Glasgow, lobbing the microphone between themselves through the floaty vacuum. The wags.
Postpublished at 23:06 BST 23 July 2014
Rebecca Adlington
Four-time Olympic medallist and BBC Sport swimming expert tweetsAmazing Opening Ceremony @Glasgow2014 - emotional, fun, inspiring, energetic, colourful & brilliant! Going to be a great couple of weeks.
Eight British Isles contenders to watchpublished at 22:59 BST 23 July 2014
Image source, Getty ImagesWant to know more about the big British medal hopes in Glasgow? Then why not let our man Nick Hope give you the lowdown on eight of the finest competitors from the UK who will hopefully be stepping on to a podium in the Commonwealth Games.
Postpublished at 22:58 BST 23 July 2014
Image source, Sarah BarrowTeam England diver Sarah Barrow posts on Instagram:, external "I made it to the Opening Ceremony! @weRengland."
Postpublished at 22:55 BST 23 July 2014
Aimee Lewis
BBC Sport at the opening ceremony in Glasgow"Middle-aged men, pensioners, spry twenty somethings are all on their feet dancing to the Shamen. And then they sit down once Rod appears. They'll return to their feet soon, they're probably just waiting for We are Sailing. Gavin Hastings, smiling widely, is on his feet however, capturing the moment with his camera. Soak it all in, Gav."
Postpublished at 22:55 BST 23 July 2014
Fireworks punch the sky and Rod Stewart has slipped his handlers, sneaking back on stage for another number.
A couple of Canada athletes clap along, Team Scotland nod gently, no indication of what Botswana make of the show.
It is "new material" as well.
Postpublished at 22:51 BST 23 July 2014
Huw Edwards
BBC News presenter on BBC One:
Image source, Getty Images"I love the way they have come in and been taken aback by the welcome, the noise, the ovation. Yes they are the host nation but it is still something to come in to a stadium like this. I love the sense of pride. It is not just about the city of Glasgow but about the nation of Scotland and where it sees its place in the world."
Postpublished at 22:51 BST 23 July 2014
BBC Radio 5 live
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Scotland rugby international Gavin Hastings: "The Scottish athletes have been blown away and I'm sure this moment will live with them for the rest of their lives. They will feel very lucky to have been part of this, and I don't think they will be struggling for motivation after this."
Postpublished at 22:51 BST 23 July 2014
Clare Balding
BBC Sport presenter
Image source, Clare BaldingThe BBC Sport presenter tweets: What a roar from the crowd as Scotland come into the stadium.
Ones to watch: Scotlandpublished at 22:48 BST 23 July 2014
Image source, Getty ImagesScotland's poster boy Michael Jamieson will be expected to turn Olympic 200m breaststroke silver into gold in Glasgow when he competes on the opening night of the Games.
Britain had Ennis at London 2012, Scotland have Eilidh Child at Glasgow 2014. The 400m hurdler carries her nations track hopes on her shoulders as she looks to improve on Commonwealth silver in 2010.
Katie Archibald will lead the Scottish cycling challenge in Glasgow. Archibald, who was part of the British team that won the World team pursuit gold earlier this year, has set herself quite a challenge by competing in the 3,000m individual pursuit, points and scratch races on the track and the time trial and road race on the road.
Postpublished at 22:48 BST 23 July 2014
John Murray
BBC Radio 5 live commentator at the opening ceremony in Glasgow
Image source, Getty Images"The Scottish athletes are punching the air to a fantastic reception as they walk into the stadium. There are tears in the eyes of some competitors and it's a moment of huge pride for them."
Scotland's flag bearerpublished at 22:47 BST 23 July 2014
Image source, SNSIt's a proud moment for Edinburgh judoka Euan Burton as he brandishes the Saltire at Celtic Park.
The 35-year-old multiple world and European medal-winner has confessed to watching videos on the internet of Sir Chris Hoy wielding the standard at the London Olympics in an attempt to hone his technique.
That said it takes a brave man to adopt the one-handed approach of the feted cyclist...
Postpublished at 22:47 BST 23 July 2014
Image source, ReutersScotland wait until the last of the Welsh athletes clear off the Celtic Park surface before they stroll out into into a storm of tickertape. Controversial pastel tartan kilts and shawls are all proudly displayed.